Data symbol reading device

Abstract

A data symbol reading device for decoding a data symbol is provided with a reading head which has an opening for contacting a symbol reading surface on which the data symbol is positioned. The reading head also includes an optical system for forming an image of the data symbol on an imaging device. The imaging device outputs the image to a processing device which determines that the data symbol is read properly. The data symbol reading device further includes a printing device for printing a predetermined code on the data symbol in response to the processing device determining that the data has been properly read. The data reading device further includes a print mode selection system which selects one of a plurality of printing modes. The printing device prints none or at least one of the predetermined codes in response to the printing mode selected by the print mode selection system.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A data symbol reading device including a reading head, said reading head forming an opening, said opening contacting a symbol reading surface on which a data symbol is positioned, said data symbol reading device comprising: an optical system forming an image of said data symbol;   imaging means for outputting an image signal corresponding to said image formed by said optical system;   decoding means for decoding said image signal, said decoding means outputting said decoded image signal to a determining means for determining if said data symbol has been correctly decoded; printing means capable of printing a plurality of predetermined codes on said symbol reading surface proximate to said data symbol in response to said determining means determining that said data has been correctly decoded; and   a print mode selection system which selects one of a plurality of printing modes such that the printing means prints none or at least one of the predetermined codes in response to the printing mode selected by the print mode selection system:   said plurality of printing modes including a first mode in which the printing means prints a first predetermined code in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is read properly, and the printing means prints a second predetermined code in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is not read properly:   a second mode in which the printing means prints the first predetermined code in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is read properly, and the printing means prints nothing in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is not read properly:   a third mode in which the printing means prints a time when the data symbol was read in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is read properly and the printing means prints the second predetermined code in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is not read properly; and   a fourth mode in which the printing means prints the time when the data symbol was read in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is read properly. and the printing means prints nothing in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is not read properly.   
     
     
       2. The data symbol reading device according to claim 1, wherein said printing means is provided proximate to said opening of said reading head. 
     
     
       3. The data symbol reading device according to claim 1, wherein said printing means comprises a print head and said predetermined code includes character data and numerical data, wherein a printing surface of said print head contacts said symbol reading surface when said opening contacts said symbol reading surface.   
     
     
       4. The data symbol reading device according to claim 3, wherein said print means further comprises a print control means for controlling a driving of said print head when that said symbol is properly read. 
     
     
       5. The data symbol reading device according to claim 1, wherein said reading head is substantially L-shaped, and wherein said data symbol reading device further comprises a handle, said handle attached to said reading head at one end thereof, wherein said opening is formed at another end of said reading head.   
     
     
       6. The data symbol reading device according to claim 1, wherein said data symbol is a binary symbol. 
     
     
       7. A data symbol reading device comprising: means for illuminating a data symbol;   means for forming an image of said illuminated data symbol;   means for detecting said image of said illuminated data symbol;   means for decoding said detected image of said illuminated data symbol, said decoding means outputting decode data;   means for determining that said data symbol has been correctly decoded; means capable of printing a plurality of predetermined codes proximate to said data symbol in response to said determining means determining that said data symbol has been correctly decoded; and   a print mode selection system which selects one of a plurality of printing modes such that the printing means prints none or at least one of the predetermined codes in response to the printing mode selected by the print mode selection system;   said plurality of printing modes including a first mode in which the printing means prints a first predetermined code in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is read properly and the printing means prints a second predetermined code in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is not read properly:   a second mode in which the printing means prints the first predetermined code in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is read properly, and the printing means prints nothing in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is not read properly;   a third mode in which the printing means prints a time when the data symbol was read in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is read properly and the printing means prints the second predetermined code in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is not read properly; and   a fourth mode in which the printing means prints the time when the data symbol was read in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is read properly and the printing means prints nothing in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is not read properly.   
     
     
       8. The data symbol reading device according to claim 7, wherein said printing means comprises a print head, and wherein said first and second predetermined codes includes character data and numerical data.   
     
     
       9. The data symbol reading device according to claim 8, wherein said first predetermined code and said second predetermined code are different characters. 
     
     
       10. A data symbol reading device comprising: means for reading a data symbol affixed to a symbol reading surface of a product;   means capable of printing at least one predetermined code on said symbol reading surface near said data symbol in response to said reading means reading said data symbol;   means for decoding said data symbol read by said reading means;   means for determining whether said data symbol is decoded correctly; and   a print mode selection system which selects one of a plurality of printing modes such that the printing means prints none or at least one of the predetermined codes in response to the printing mode selected by the print mode selection system:   said plurality of printing modes including a first mode in which the printing means prints a first predetermined code in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is read properly, and the printing means prints a second predetermined code in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is not read properly;   a second mode in which the printing means prints the first predetermined code in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is read properly, and the printing means prints nothing in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is not read properly;   a third mode in which the printing means prints a time when the data symbol was read in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is read properly, and the printing means prints the second predetermined code in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is not read properly; and   a fourth mode in which the printing means prints the time when the data symbol was read in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is read properly, and the printing means prints nothing in response to the determining means determining that the data symbol is not read properly.   
     
     
       11. The data symbol reading device according to claim 10, said reading means comprising a light receiving box, said light receiving box having an outside surface which contacts said symbol reading surface when said reading means reads and data symbol, said printing means having a printing surface which lies on a plane which is coincident with a plane of said outside surface of said light receiving box.   
     
     
       12. The data symbol reading device according to claim 1 in which the plurality of printing modes further includes a fifth mode in which said printing means prints nothing whether or not the data symbol is properly read or is not properly read. 
     
     
       13. The data symbol reading device according to claim 7 in which the plurality of printing modes further includes a fifth mode in which printing is not executed whether or not the data symbol is properly read or is not properly read. 
     
     
       14. The data symbol reading device according to claim 10 in which the plurality of printing modes further includes a fifth mode in which printing is not executed whether or not the data symbol is properly read or is not properly read.